WINDSOR – The best of the best were honored at Windsor High School over the weekend by the Vermont Coaches’ Association (VBCA), as several local athletes and coaches were recognized for their outstanding high school basketball seasons this past winter.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
Hazen Union juniors Kelsie Rivard and Mya Lumsden, along with Peoples Academy’s (PA) Daisy Berg led local selections on the girls side for VBCA Outstanding Underclassmen honors. It was the third straight selection for Rivard, who averaged over 20 points per game this past season and has led the Lady Cats in scoring the past two years. Junior teammate Mya Lumsden received her second straight selection after enjoying her best season. The talented tandem led Hazen to their second Division III state title in three years earlier this month. Berg secured her second straight selection after the freshman guided PA to another impressive playoff run under head coach and Hazen alum Rick Welcome. Lamoille’s Maddex Percy also earned Outstanding Underclassmen honors after leading the Lady Lancers to the Division II state title game.
On the boys side, Hazen’s Jameson Lamarre (19.9 points per game) and Lincoln Hill (14.8)l earned Outstanding Underclassmen selections after breakout junior seasons. The back-court tandem helped deliver the knockout blow to top-seeded Randolph in the Division III state championship game. Twinfield-Cabot’s Omar Miksic-Knibb and Azeem Stewart also earned selections after outstanding sophomore seasons on a veteran-laden Trojans team that won 22 games. The speedy back-court duo will be a handful for Mountain League defenders the next two seasons. Sophomore big man James Wallace also earned a selection after leading Lamoille’s program to their first Division II state title in 63 years.
Hazen’s Kelsie Rivard (1,188 career points), Twinfield-Cabot’s Eli Russell (1,077) and Tej Stewart (1,056) and PA’s Jack Lafayette (1,228) were honored as 1,000-point career scorers.
Hazen head coach Aaron Hill took home Division III Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Wildcats to their seventh state championship in his 27th season on the sidelines. Twinfield-Cabot’s Kris Bador earned his second consecutive Division IV Coach of the Year honors. Bador’s Trojan program has won 51 games the past two seasons, including back-to-back trips to Barre and a trip to the state title game earlier this month. Former Cabot multi-sport legend Billy Waller was named Division III Coach of the Year after guiding his Vergennes’ girls team back to Barre for the first time in six years. Lamoille’s Greg Davis was named Division II Coach of the Year after his Lady Lancer program (22-1) didn’t suffer their first loss of the season until they met Hartford in the state championship game.
Hartford’s Charlotte Jasmin was named VBCA Player of the Year and finished her incredible career with 2,025 career points. Pascal Munezero of Rice was named VBCA Player of the Year on the boys side. Legendary head coach and former VBCA Executive Director Dave Fredrickson received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The New England Basketball, Vermont Sports and VBCA Hall of Famer amassed 505 career coaching victories and eight state championships at Mount. Anthony and Arlington. This was the first VBCA All-Star Weekend under newly appointed Executive Director Eric Berry.
Danville’s Kohl Guinard received the Robert “Stretch” Gilliam Memorial Award in honor of the legendary coach and New England Basketball and VBCA Hall of Famer. The $750 scholarship is awarded to a male student-athlete who loves the game, values defense and exemplifies teamwork and sportsmanship.
Lamoille’s Alana Crittenden received the Tristan Southworth Memorial Scholarship, honoring the former Hazen Union three-sport star, who gave his life for his country serving for the Vermont National Guard in Afghanistan. A Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient, Southworth was known for his character, leadership and selflessness. The $750 scholarship is awarded to a student-athlete who represents their school and community with distinction.
Missisquoi Valley Union and Richford were given the Mona Garone Sportsmanship Award. Gabrielle Cicio and Devonte Jackson earned Officials of the Year honors. Barry Aldinger of Vergennes was inducted into the VBCA Hall of Fame, Alex Stradling of FACT TV received the Media Person of the Year and Lake Region’s Mark Tinker was given the Tommy Finnell Outstanding Service Award.
The VBCA is committed to promoting the game of basketball across the state while supporting student-athletes, coaches and communities in its mission of making basketball better in Vermont.
